A dour Commissioner David Stern suggested the players’ association is not bargaining in good faith and isn’t serious about getting a deal done, putting a damper on yesterday’s nearly three-hour NBA labor meeting.

“I don’t feel optimistic,” Stern said at a midtown hotel following the first negotiating session since the NBA lockout began July 1. “I don’t feel optimistic about the players’ willingness to engage in a serious way — from this session and many before.”

Asked if the union was bargaining in good faith, Stern paused before saying with emphasis, “I would say no.” A grimacing Stern then bolted from the hotel. He did not smile once during his four-minute chat with the media, and his demeanor was even more downbeat than the last negotiating session June 30 when he announced the start of the lockout.

Stern characterized the session as unproductive. “We met for several hours and I think it’s fair to say we’re at the same place we were 30 days ago,” Stern said.

Derek Fisher and Theo Ratliff were the only two players in attendance. The two owners at the meeting were Minnesota’s Glen Taylor and the Spurs’ Peter Holt. Knicks owner James Dolan, who is on the negotiating committee, did not attend.

“Peter and Mr. Taylor are articulating certain things in the room, expressing their desire to get a deal done,” Fisher said. “But where their proposal lies makes it hard to believe that.”

When told of Fisher’s remark, Stern said, “We have absolutely the opposite take on it.”